Portable signal light, motor vehicle guiding tool and motor vehicle guiding method

ABSTRACT

When using, an entire length from a grip portion to a light emitting lamp portion is elongated by drawing out the light emitting lamp portion from the grip portion so as to extend, and each of light emitting diodes in the light emitting lamp portion is turned so as to be usable by operating a main switch button in an infrared remote control sending apparatus. Further, a worker arranged at one point in a vehicle guiding section switches a color of emitted light of the light emitting lamp portion in a portable signal light, whereby the emitted light is switched to a blue “GO” display allowing a vehicle to move forward or a red “STOP” display inhibiting the vehicle from moving forward. Accordingly, it is possible to safely and smoothly guide the vehicle only by one worker.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a portable signal light, vehicleguidance tool and a vehicle guidance method used for guiding a vehiclein a road construction field, a construction work field, a parking area,a meeting place for event and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, in general, a portable signal light which a worker holdsin a hand so as to send a signal to a vehicle driver has been used for avehicle guidance work in the road construction field, the constructionwork field, the parking area, the meeting place for event and the like.As the portable signal light, there has been conventionally in generalknown a structure in which a plurality of light emitting diodes areinstalled in a cylindrical light emitting lamp portion continuouslyprovided in a grip portion (for example, patent document 1). In thiskind of portable signal light, in general, a battery serving as a powersource of the light emitting diode is received within the grip portion,and a switch for turning on the light emitting diode is arranged so asto face to an outer surface of the grip portion. Further, the batteryand the switch are connected to each of the light emitting diodes via awire extending to an inner side of the light emitting lamp portion froman inner side of the grip portion. Further, in this kind of portablesignal light, the light emitting lamp portion generally emits light byone color such as a red color or the like.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 08-161651

Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.2001-023050

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

In this case, conventionally, the generally known portable signal lightincluding the portable signal light described in the patent document 1is structured such that an entire length is comparatively short taking aportability into consideration. However, in the case of controlling thetraffic by using the short portable signal light, it is necessary thatthe worker works so as to hang out to a traffic lane side or hold his orher hand up high such that the light emitting lamp portion of theportable signal light can be visible from a far vehicle. Further, evenif the worker holds his or her hand up high, it is impossible to hold upthe light emitting lamp portion at a higher position.

From this circumstance, in the working field of the traffic controlusing the portable signal light, there is requested a portable signallight which can be safely and effectively used by elongating the entirelength from the grip portion to the light emitting lamp portion, anddoes not deteriorate the portability.

In order to meet the request, there can be considered that the portablesignal light is structured as a telescopic type, however, in this case,since the switch in the grip portion side and the light emitting diodein the light emitting lamp side are connected by the wire, it is hard toobtain the telescopic structure.

Further, in the case of the portable signal light in which the lightemitting lamp portion emits light by one color such as the red color orthe like, there is a case that the vehicle driver can not clearlyrecognize whether the signal means “go-ahead” or “stop” at a time whenthe worker swings the portable signal light, so that there is a casethat the vehicle guidance can not be smoothly executed.

As a matter of fact, in the case of using the portable signal light (forexample, patent document 2) in which the color of the emitting light inthe light emitting lamp portion can be switched between two colors, forexample, between a red color and a blue color, it is possible to clarifythe signals of “go-ahead” and “stop”.

However, even if the portable signal light described in the patentdocument 2 is used, it is necessary to arrange two workers holding theportable signal lights in two positions comprising one spot and theother spot of the guide section, for the purpose of smoothly guiding thevehicle in the road construction field. Further, in the case that twoworkers are arranged as mentioned above, it is necessary to switch thecolor of the emitting light of the portable signal light while twoworkers work with each other, in order to prevent two workers fromsimultaneously setting the colors of the emitting lights of the portablesignal lights so as to give signs of “go-ahead”. Accordingly, theguidance work of the vehicle by the worker is complicated.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a portablesignal light in which an entire length from a grip portion to a lightemitting lamp portion can be made longer at a time when the portablesignal light is used, and the entire length can be made shorter at atime when the portable signal light is not used.

Further, the other object of the present invention is to provide avehicle guidance tool and a vehicle guidance method which can safely andsmoothly guide the vehicle by one worker.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

As a means for achieving the objects mentioned above, a portable signallight in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention isstructured such as to be provided with a tubular light emitting lampportion which is telescopically fitted to a tubular grip portion. Thelight emitting lamp portion has a battery for a power source and aplurality of light emitting diodes which can be turned on by the batterybuilt-in. The grip portion is provided with an infrared remote controlsending apparatus for controlling the lighting of the light emittingdiode, and the light emitting lamp portion is provided with an infraredremote control receiving apparatus for receiving the control signal fromthe infrared remote control sending apparatus so as to control thelighting of the light emitting diode.

The infrared remote control sending apparatus can be detachably providedin the grip portion.

In the portable signal light mentioned above, when being used, theentire length from the grip portion to the light emitting lamp portionbecomes longer by drawing out the light emitting lamp portion from thegrip portion so as to elongate, and each of the light emitting diodes inthe light emitting lamp portion is turned on so as to be used byoperating the infrared remote control sending apparatus attached to thegrip portion in this elongated state. On the other hand, when theportable signal light is not used, the entire length becomes shorter bypressing the light emitting light portion into the grip portion so as tocontract.

Further, the structure may be made such that the portable signal lightis provided with a tubular or bar-like support portion which istelescopically fitted to the tubular grip portion, and the supportportion is provided with the light emitting lamp portion which has abattery for a power source and a plurality of light emitting diodeswhich can be turned on by the battery built-in. Further, the gripportion is provided with the infrared remote control sensing apparatusfor controlling the lighting of the light emitting diode, and the lightemitting lamp portion is provided with the infrared remote controlreceiving apparatus for receiving the control signal from the infraredremote control sending apparatus so as to control the lighting of thelight emitting diode.

The structure may be made such that the light emitting lamp portion isdetachably mounted to the support portion. Further, the infrared remotecontrol sending apparatus can be detachably provided in the gripportion.

In accordance with the portable signal light provided with the lightemitting lamp portion in the support portion, the distance from the gripportion to the light emitting lamp portion provided in the supportportion becomes longer by drawing out the support portion from the gripportion so as to elongate at a time of being used. Each of the lightemitting diodes in the light emitting lamp portion is turned on so as tobe available, by operating the infrared remote control sending apparatusprovided in the grip portion in this elongated state. On the other hand,when the portable signal light is not used, the entire length becomesshorter by pressing the support portion into the grip portion so as tocontract.

In the case that the light emitting lamp portion is structured such asto be detachably mounted to the support portion, in the portable signallight provided with the light emitting lamp portion in the supportportion, the support portion is sufficiently pressed into the gripportion by detaching the light emitting lamp portion from the supportportion at a time when the portable signal light is not used.Accordingly, the entire length at a time of being brought with the useris preferably shorter.

A vehicle guidance tool in accordance with a second aspect of thepresent invention is structured such as to be provided with a portablesignal light in which a color of emitting light of a light emitting lampportion can be switched to at least two colors on the basis of anoperation of an infrared remote control switch, and a barricade havingan electric display portion which can be switched to at least twodisplays working with the operation of the infrared remote controlswitch.

In the portable signal light mentioned above and the portable signallight in the vehicle guidance tool, in the case that the infrared remotecontrol sending apparatus is detachably provided in the grip portion,the operation can be easily executed by operating the infrared remotecontrol sending apparatus in a state of being detached from the gripportion. In particular, in the case that the light emitting lamp portionis detachably mounted to the support portion, the distance from the gripportion to the light emitting lamp portion provided in the supportportion becomes longer. Accordingly, it is advantageous to operate theinfrared remote control sending apparatus in a state of being detachedfrom the grip portion.

Further, a vehicle guidance method in accordance with a third aspect ofthe present invention is structured such that a worker operating theinfrared remote control switch of the portable signal light is arrangedin one spot in a section for guiding the vehicle, and the barricade isarranged in the other spot. When switching the light emitting lampportion of the portable signal light to the color of the emitted lightinhibiting the vehicle from moving forward on the basis of the operationof the infrared remote control switch by the worker, the electricdisplay portion of the barricade is switched to the display allowing thevehicle to move forward working with this switch. When switching thelight emitting lamp portion of the portable signal light to the color ofthe emitted light allowing the vehicle to move forward, the electricdisplay portion of the barricade is switched to the display inhibitingthe vehicle from moving forward working therewith.

In the vehicle guidance tool in accordance with the second aspect andthe vehicle guidance method in accordance with the third aspect, aswitching condition by the infrared remote control switch is previouslyset. For example, it is set such that when the light emitting lampportion of the portable signal light is switched to the color (forexample, the red color) of the emitted light inhibiting the vehicle frommoving forward, the electric display portion of the barricade isswitched to the display allowing the vehicle to move forward workingwith this switch, and when the light emitting lamp portion of theportable signal light is switched to the color (for example, the bluecolor) of the emitted light allowing the vehicle to move forward, theelectric display portion of the barricade is changed to the displayallowing the vehicle to move forward working with this switch. Further,the worker operating the infrared remote control switch of the portablesignal light is arranged in one spot in the section for guiding thevehicle, and the barricade is arranged in the other spot.

In the vehicle guidance tool prepared in the manner mentioned above,when the worker arranged in one spot in the vehicle guiding sectionswitches the light emitting lamp portion of the portable signal light tothe color (for example, the red color) of the emitted light inhibitingthe vehicle from moving forward, the electric display portion of thebarricade arranged in the other spot of the vehicle guiding section isswitched to the display allowing the vehicle to move forward. Further,when the worker switches the light emitting lamp portion of the portablesignal light to the color (for example, the blue color) of the emittedlight allowing the vehicle to move forward, the electric display portionof the barricade is switched to the display inhibiting the vehicle frommoving forward.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

As described above, in the portable signal light in accordance with thefirst aspect, since the tubular light emitting lamp portion is providedso as to be telescopically fitted to the tubular grip portion, it ispossible to make the entire length from the grip portion to the lightemitting lamp portion longer so as to be safely used, at a time of beingused. Further, when the portable signal light is not used, it ispossible to make the entire length shorter so as to be brought with theuser. Further, in the case that the light emitting lamp portion isdetachably mounted to the support portion, the support portion issufficiently pressed into the grip portion by detaching the lightemitting lamp portion from the support portion at a time when theportable signal light is not used, so that it is possible to make theentire length at a time of being brought with the user shorter. Further,in the case that the infrared remote control sending apparatus isdetachably attached to the grip portion, it becomes easy to operate theinfrared remote control sending apparatus.

In the vehicle guidance tool in accordance with the second aspect andthe vehicle guidance method in accordance with the third aspect, sincethe worker arranged in the one spot in the vehicle guiding section canswitch the light emitting lamp portion of the portable signal light tothe color of the emitted light inhibiting the vehicle from movingforward, or to the color of the emitted light allowing the vehicle tomove forward, it is possible to safely and smoothly guide the vehicle byonly one worker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elongated state showing a firstembodiment of a portable signal light in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a partly enlarged cross sectional view showing a structure ofa stopper mechanism of the portable signal light shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a contracted state of the portablesignal light shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portable signal light in accordancewith a modified embodiment of the present invention in an elongatedstate;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portable signal light structuring avehicle guidance tool in accordance with a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a barricade constituting a vehicleguidance tool in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a second modified embodiment of a lightemitting lamp portion of the portable signal light;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a third modified embodiment of the lightemitting lamp portion of the portable signal light;

FIG. 9 is a view of a receiving case in accordance with a modifiedembodiment of a receiving case shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 as seen from agrip end side;

FIG. 10 is a view of a receiving case in accordance with a modifiedembodiment of the receiving case shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 as seen froma grip end side;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a vehicle guidance method using avehicle guidance tool in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a modified embodiment of thevehicle guidance method shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a first modified embodiment of thebarricade shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a second modified embodiment ofthe barricade shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a third modified embodiment of thebarricade shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a fourth modified embodiment ofthe barricade shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of anelectric display portion; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the other modified embodiment ofthe electric display portion.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 portable signal light-   2 grip portion-   3 light emitting lamp portion-   3A leading end side-   3B base end side-   4 grip end-   5 receiving case-   5A main switch button-   5B change switch button-   5C infrared light sending window-   6 light emitting diode-   7 dry battery-   8 head cap-   8A infrared light receiving window-   9 circuit board-   10 stopper mechanism-   10A stopper hole-   10B stopper-   10C coil spring-   10D collar-   10E positioning projection-   10F circular recess portion-   10G locking piece-   11 receiving case-   12 leaf spring-   13 receiving case-   14 hook-and-loop fastener-   21 portable signal light-   22 first support portion-   23 second support portion-   24 light emitting lamp portion-   24A, 24B support frame-   24C light emitting lamp portion-   24D loading hole-   24E resilient retaining ring-   101 portable signal light-   102 barricade-   103 grip portion-   104 light emitting lamp portion-   104A infrared light receiving window-   105 grip end-   106 receiving case having infrared light remote control sending    apparatus built-in-   106A main switch button-   106B change switch button-   107 light emitting diode group-   107A red color light emitting diode-   107B blue color light emitting diode-   108 head cap-   109 circuit board-   110 remote control receiving circuit-   111 dry battery-   121 A-type leg portion-   122 transverse bar-   123 electric display portion-   124 electric display portion-   123A blue color light emitting portion-   124A red color light emitting portion

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A description will be given below of an embodiment of a portable signallight in accordance with the present invention with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a portable signal light 1 in accordance with a firstembodiment is constituted by a two-stage telescopic type portable signallight, and is provided with a tubular light emitting lamp portion 3fitted to an inner side of a tubular grip portion 2 so as to betelescopically slidable. The grip portion 2 is structured by a pipe madeof a synthetic resin or a metal and having a suitable strength, for thepurpose of receiving the light emitting lamp portion 3 so as to protect,and an opening of a base end portion thereof is closed by a grip end 4.Further, a receiving case 5 of an infrared remote control sendingapparatus is provided in an outer peripheral surface of the grip portion2.

On the other hand, the light emitting lamp portion 3 is structured by atransparent pipe made of a synthetic resin and receiving a plurality oflight emitting diodes 6 and dry batteries 7 and 7 serving as a powersource of the light emitting diodes, and an opening in a leading endportion thereof is closed by a head cap 8.

A plurality of light emitting diodes 6 are arranged in a line each oftwo circuit boards 9 and 9 having a long plate shape, and each of thecircuit boards 9 and 9 is received in a leading end side 3A within thelight emitting lamp portion 3 in a back-to-back state in which the lightemitting diode 6 is directed to an outer side. Further, a lightdiffusion film (not shown) making a color development of the lightemitting diode 6 clear is coated on an inner surface (or an outersurface) of the leading end side 3A of the light emitting lamp portion3. In this case, the light emitting diode 6 generally employs oneemitting light by a red color, however, may employ one emitting light bythe other color such as a blue color, a green color, a yellow color andthe like.

Further, the dry batteries 7 and 7 are arranged in series so as to bereceived in a base end side 3B within the light emitting lamp portion 3.Further, a painting for blindfold such as a silver color, a white colorand the like is applied to an inner surface (or an outer surface) of thebase end side 3B of the light emitting lamp portion 3 so as to cover thedry batteries 7 and 7.

In this case, an infrared remote control sending apparatus having aremote control sending circuit in which a button battery (not shown) isset as a power source is installed within the receiving case 5. Further,a main switch button 5A for turning on and off the lighting of each ofthe light emitting diodes 6 within the light emitting lamp portion 3,and a change switch button 5B for switching a lighting state of each ofthe light emitting diodes 6 to a continuous lighting and a flashlighting are arranged in an upper surface of the receiving case 5.Further, an infrared light sending window 5C is arranged in a leadingend surface of the receiving case 5.

On the other hand, an infrared light receiving window 8A is provided asan infrared light receiving apparatus in the head cap 8 in the leadingend of the light emitting lamp portion 3, and a remote control receivingcircuit (not shown) is structured on each of the circuit boards 9 and 9within the light emitting lamp portion 3. Further, the batteries 7 and 7and the circuit boards 9 and 9 are connected via the remote controlreceiving circuit so as to turn on each of the light emitting diodes 6.

In this case, in order to hold the light emitting lamp portion 3 at anelongated position where the light emitting lamp portion 3 is drawn outfrom the grip portion 2 and a contracted position where the lightemitting lamp portion 3 is pressed into the grip portion 2, a stoppermechanism 10 shown in FIG. 2 is structured between the grip portion 2and the light emitting lamp portion 3.

The stopper mechanism 10 is structured such as to be provided with twocircular stopper holes 10A and 10A which are arranged linearly onperipheral surfaces of the leading end portion and the base end portionof the grip portion 2 so as to be open, one semispherical stopper 10Bwhich is fitted to each of the stopper holes 10A from an inner side soas to be locked, a coil spring 10C which energizes the stopper 10B so asto fit to the stopper hole 10A, and the like.

A come-off preventing collar 10D and a positioning projection 10E of thecoil spring 10C are formed in a base end portion in a side of the coilspring 10C of the stopper 10B. Further, the collar 10D of the stopper10B is received within a circular recess portion 10F open to aperipheral surface of a base end portion of the light emitting lampportion 3 together with the coil spring 10C so as to be slidable.

In order to prevent the stopper 10B mentioned above from coming off, alocking piece 10G locking the stopper 10B in a peripheral portion of acircular hole coinciding with the stopper hole 10A is attached to anopening portion of the circular recess portion 10F. The locking piece10G is fitted to a peripheral surface so as to be approximately flushwith the peripheral surface of the light emitting lamp portion 3.

In this case, although an illustration is omitted, a guide groove isformed on an inner surface of the grip portion 2 and a projection guidedby the guide groove is provided in an outer surface of the base endportion of the light emitting lamp portion 3, in order to straightlyslide the light emitting lamp portion 3 in a telescopic manner withrespect to the grip portion 2.

The portable signal light 1 in accordance with the first embodimentstructured as mentioned above is used for a traffic control in a roadconstruction field, a construction work field or the like. In this use,the light emitting lamp portion 3 is straightly drawn out from the gripportion 2 so as to be elongated. Then, the stopper 10B in the base endportion of the light emitting lamp portion 3 structuring the stoppermechanism 10 is fitted into the stopper hole 10A in the leading endportion of the grip portion 2 (refer to FIG. 2). The light emitting lampportion 3 is held at the elongated position in this way (refer to FIG.1).

When operating the main switch button 5A on the receiving case 5arranged in a side of the grip portion 2, each of the light emittingdiodes 6 in a side of the light emitting lamp portion 3 is turned on,and the leading end side 3A of the light emitting lamp portion 3 emitslight by a red color. Further, when operating the change switch button5B in this state, each of the light emitting diodes 6 flashes, and thered color light in the leading end side 3A of the light emitting lampportion 3 flashes.

In this used state mentioned above, since an entire length from the gripportion 2 to the light emitting lamp portion 3 becomes long in theportable signal light 1 in accordance with the first embodiment, theworker can place the light emitting lamp portion 3 at a position visiblefrom a far vehicle without hanging out to a traffic lane side or holdinghis or her hand up high.

On the other hand, when the portable signal light 1 is not used, thelight emitting lamp portion 3 is straightly pressed into the gripportion 2 so as to be contracted. Then, the stopper 10B in the base endportion of the light emitting lamp portion 3 structuring the stoppermechanism 10 is fitted into the stopper hole 10A in the base end portionof the grip portion 2, whereby the light emitting lamp portion 3 is heldat a contracted position (refer to FIG. 3). In this contracted state,the entire length of the portable signal light 1 becomes sufficientlyshort, and a portability is not deteriorated.

Next, a description will be given of a portable signal light inaccordance with a second embodiment shown in FIG. 4. In this case, inthe description of the portable signal light in accordance with thesecond embodiment, the same reference numerals are attached to the sameconstituting portions as those of the portable signal light 1 inaccordance with the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereofwill be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, a portable signal light 21 in accordance with thesecond embodiment is constituted by a three-stage telescopic typeportable signal light, and is structured such as to be provided with atubular first support portion 22 which is fitted to the tubular gripportion 2 so as to be telescopically slidable, a tubular second supportportion 23 which is fitted to the first support portion 22 so as to betelescopically slidable, and a light emitting lamp portion 24 which isdetachably mounted to the second support portion 23. An opening in aleading end portion of the second support portion 23 is closed by a headcap 25.

The first support portion 22 and the second support portion 23 arestructured by a pipe made of a synthetic resin or a metal having asuitable strength. Further, the grip portion 2, the first supportportion 22 and the second support portion 23 are fitted so as to betelescopically slidable with each other by the same stopper mechanism asthe stopper mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 2.

In this case, the light emitting lamp portion 24 is structured in a flattubular shape by a synthetic resin in such a manner that a portionbetween front and rear support frames 24A and 24B is transparent, and isformed in an entirely flat box shape. Further, two circuit boards 9 and9 each having a plurality of light emitting diodes 6 arranged in oneline and having a long plate shape, and dry batteries 7 and 7 connectedas a power source to both the circuit boards 9 and 9 are received in aninner portion of the light emitting lamp portion 24.

The respective circuit boards 9 and 9 are arranged in both sides in awidth direction within the light emitting lamp portion 24 in a state inwhich the light emitting diodes 6 are directed to an outer side, and thedry batteries 7 and 7 are arranged in a back surface side of each of thecircuit boards 9 and 9. Further, a light diffusion film (not shown)making the light emission of the light emitting diode 6 clear is coatedon an inner surface (or an outer surface) of the transparent syntheticresin portion between the support frames 24A and 24B of the lightemitting lamp portion 24.

Further, as the infrared light receiving apparatus, an infrared lightreceiving window 24C is provided in the support frame 24B in a base endside of the light emitting light portion 24, and a remote controlreceiving circuit (not shown) is structured on each of the circuitboards 9 and 9 within the light emitting lamp portion 24. Further, thedry batteries 7 and 7 and each of the circuit boards 9 and 9 areconnected so as to turn on each of the light emitting diodes 6 via theremote control receiving circuit.

In this case, as a structure for detachably mounting the light emittinglamp portion 24 to the second support portion 23, the structure is madeas follows. The head cap 25 is structured such as to be detachablyscrewed into an opening in a leading end portion of the second supportportion 23. Further, loading holes 24D and 24D detachably fitted to thesecond support portion 23 are formed in center portions of the front andrear support frames 24A and 24B. Further, a resilient retaining ring 24E(only one is illustrated) closely attached to the second support portion23 elastically so as to hold a loaded state of the light emitting lampportion 24 is firmly fixed to the opening portions of the loading holes24D and 24D.

In the portable signal light 21 in accordance with the second embodimentstructured as mentioned above, at a time of being used, the firstsupport portion 22 and the second support portion 23 are sequentiallydrawn out from the grip portion 2 so as to be elongated. Then, the firstsupport portion 22 and the second support portion 23 are held in theelongated state by a stopper mechanism (refer to FIG. 2). Then, the headcap 25 in a leading end of the second support portion 23 is detached andis fitted to the front and rear loading holes 24D and 24D of the lightemitting lamp portion 24 from the leading end side of the second supportportion 23. Further, the light emitting lamp portion 24 is attached tothe second support portion 23 in a state of being positioned at apredetermined position in a longitudinal direction of the second supportportion 23 by the resilient retaining ring 24E. In this case, afterattaching the light emitting lamp portion 24, the head cap 25 isattached to the second support portion 23.

Further, the main switch button 5A on the receiving case 5 arranged in aside of the grip portion 2 is operated. Then, each of the light emittingdiodes 6 in a side of the light emitting lamp portion 24 is turned on,and the peripheral surface of the light emitting lamp portion 24 emitslight by a red color. Further, when operating the change switch button5B in this state, each of the light emitting diodes 6 flashes, and thered color light in the peripheral surface of the light emitting lampportion 24 flashes.

In this used state mentioned above, since a distance from the gripportion 2 to the light emitting lamp portion 24 becomes long in theportable signal light 21 in accordance with the second embodiment, theworker can place the light emitting lamp portion 3 at a position visiblefrom a far vehicle without hanging out to a traffic lane side or holdinghis or her hand up high. On the other hand, when the portable signallight 21 is not used, the light emitting lamp portion 24 is detachedfrom the second support portion 23 in accordance with an oppositeprocedure to the procedure mentioned above, and the second supportportion 23 and the first support portion 22 are pressed into theportable signal light 21 so as to be contracted. Then, the first supportportion 22 and the second support portion 23 are held in the contractedstate by a stopper mechanism (refer to FIG. 2). In this contractedstate, an entire length of the portable signal light 21 becomessufficiently short, and a portability is not deteriorated.

The portable signal light in accordance with the invention is notlimited to each of the embodiments mentioned above. For example, thestopper mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 2 can be changed to a mechanism asdescribed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 07-004893 andJapanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 05-280896, and can be changedto a screw ring type holding a camera tripod mount in an elongatedstate.

Further, the portable signal light 1 in accordance with the firstembodiment may be structured as the three-stage telescopic type such asthe portable signal light 21 in accordance with the second embodiment,or may be structured as a multi-stage telescopic type having morestages. In the same manner, the portable signal light 21 in accordancewith the second embodiment may be structured as a multi-stage telescopictype.

Further, the light emitting lamp portion 3 in the portable signal light1 in accordance with the first embodiment may be structured such that aplurality of light emitting diodes 6 are arranged toward three surfacesof the peripheral surface thereof.

Further, a plurality of light emitting diodes 6 may be structured suchthat the light emitting diodes having different light colors such as ared color and a blue color are alternately arranged on the circuit board9 in the same manner as a portable signal light mentioned below. In thiscase, the infrared remote control sending apparatus and receivingapparatus may be structured such as to switch the lighting of the redlight emitting diode and the lighting of the blue light emitting diode,for example, on the basis of an operation of the change switch button5B.

The light emitting lamp portion 24 in the portable signal light 21 inaccordance with the second embodiment may be structured as an aspectthat it pinches the second support portion 23, and may be changed to astructure that two half portions are integrally fastened by anappropriate fastening member such as a locking screw or the like.Further, the description is given of the case that the light emittinglamp portion 24 in the portable signal light 21 in accordance with thesecond embodiment is formed in the flat tubular shape, however, theshape is not necessarily limited to the flat tubular shape, but may beset to a cylindrical shape or the other optional shapes. In the case ofemploying the cylindrical light emitting lamp portion, the structure maybe made such that the second support portion 23 is inserted to a centerof the cylindrical light emitting lamp portion.

In this case, in the portable signal light 1 in accordance with thefirst embodiment, an organic EL element corresponding to a sheet-likelight emitting element may be attached to an inner surface of the lightemitting lamp portion 3 in place of the light emitting diode 6. In thesame manner, in the portable signal light 21, the organic EL element maybe attached to an inner surface of a transparent synthetic resin portionof the light emitting lamp portion 24 in place of the light emittingdiode 6.

Next, a description will be given of an embodiment of a vehicle guidancetool and a vehicle guidance method in accordance with the presentinvention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the referreddrawings, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle guidance toolstructuring a vehicle guidance tool in accordance with an embodiment,FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a barricade constituting a vehicleguidance tool in accordance with an embodiment, and FIG. 11 is anexplanatory view of a vehicle guidance method using a vehicle guidancetool in accordance with an embodiment.

The vehicle guidance tool in accordance with the embodiment isstructured such as to be provided with a portable signal light 101 shownin FIG. 5, and a barricade 102 shown in FIG. 6. The portable signallight 101 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a tubular light emitting lampportion 104 connected to a tubular grip portion 103. The grip portion103 is structured by a pipe made of a synthetic resin or a metal havinga suitable strength, and an opening in a base end portion thereof isclosed by a grip end 105. Further, a receiving case 106 having aninfrared remote control sending apparatus in which an infrared remotecontrol sending apparatus is received built-in is attached to an outerperipheral surface of the grip portion 103.

The light emitting lamp portion 104 is structured by a transparent pipemade of a synthetic resin and receiving a light emitting diode group 107constituted by a plurality of light emitting diodes, and a head cap 108is attached to an opening in a leading end portion thereof. The lightemitting diode group 107 is arranged in a line on each of two circuitboards 109 and 109 having a long plate shape, and each of the circuitboards 109 and 109 is received within the light emitting lamp portion104 in a back to back state in which the light emitting diode group 107is directed to an outer side. Further, a light diffusion film (notshown) making the color of the emitted light of the light emitting diode107 clear is covered on an inner surface (or an outer surface) of thelight emitting lamp portion 104.

In this case, the light emitting diode group 107 is structured byalternately arranging a red color light emitting diode 107A for emittinglight by a red color corresponding to a signal of “stop” in the lightemitting lamp portion 103, and a blue color light emitting diode 107Bfor emitting light by a blue color corresponding to a signal of“go-ahead”. In this case, the blue color light emitting diode 107B canbe changed to a green color light emitting diode.

An infrared remote control sending apparatus having a remote controlsending circuit having a button battery (not shown) as a power source isinstalled within the receiving case 106 having the infrared remotecontrol sending apparatus built-in. Further, on an upper surface of thereceiving case 106 having the infrared remote control sending apparatusbuilt-in, there are arranged a main switch button 106A for turning onand off the lighting of the light emitting diode group 107 within thelight emitting lamp portion 104, the red color light emitting diode 107Astructuring the light emitting diode group 107, and a change switchbutton 106B for switching the lighting of the blue color light emittingdiode 107B. Further, an infrared light sending window 106C is arrangedin a leading end surface of the receiving case 106 having the infraredremote control sending apparatus built-in.

On the other hand, an infrared light receiving apparatus, an infraredlight receiving window 104A is provided in an outer periphery of a baseend portion of the light emitting lamp portion 104. A remote controlreceiving circuit 110 electrically connected to the infrared lightreceiving window 104A is received within the base end portion of thelight emitting lamp portion 104. Further, dry batteries 111 and 111serving as a power source for turning on the light emitting diode group107 via the remote control receiving circuit 110 are arranged in seriesso as to be received within the grip portion 103. In this case, ablindfold paint such as a silver paint, a white paint or the like isapplied to an inner surface (or an outer surface) of the base endportion of the light emitting lamp portion 104 in which the remotecontrol receiving circuit 110 is received.

On the other hand, the barricade 102 shown in FIG. 6 is structured suchas to be provided with a tubular transverse bar 122 supported by a pairof right and left A-type leg portions 121, and two electric displayportion portions 123 and 124 fixed to a lower portion of the transversebar 122. The transverse bar 122 is provided with an infrared lightreceiving window 122A receiving an infrared light signal sent from theinfrared light sending window 106C of the receiving case 106 having theinfrared light remote control sending apparatus of the portable signallight 101 shown in FIG. 5 built-in. The transverse bar 122 has a remotecontrol receiving circuit electrically connected to the infrared lightreceiving window 122A and a battery (not shown) serving as a powersource built-in.

One electric display portion 123 has a blue color light emitting portion123A in which a plurality of blue color light emitting diodes arearranged in a shape of “GO” so as to display a sign of “go-ahead”, andthe other electric display portion 124 has a red color light emittingportion 124A in which a plurality of red color light emitting diodes arearranged in a shape of “STOP” so as to display a sign of “stop”. Theblue color light emitting portion 123A and the red color light emittingportion 124A are controlled in lighting on the basis of the control ofthe remote control receiving circuit (not shown) installed in thetransverse bar 122.

In other words, the blue color light emitting portion 123A of theelectric display portion 123 is controlled so as to be turned on in aninterlocking manner at a time when the red color light emitting diode107A of the light emitting lamp portion 104 of the portable signal light101 (refer to FIG. 5) is turned on in accordance with the operation ofthe change switch button 106B of the infrared light remote controlswitch 106. Further, the red color light emitting portion 124A of theelectric display portion 124 is controlled so as to be turned on in aninterlocking manner at a time when the blue color light emitting diode107B of the light emitting lamp portion 104 of the portable signal light101 is turned on in accordance with the operation of the change switchbutton 106B of the receiving case 106 having the infrared light remotecontrol sending apparatus built-in.

In this case, the portable signal light in accordance with the presentinvention is not limited to the embodiment mentioned above. For example,the light emitting lamp portions 3, 24 and 104 of the portable signallights 1, 21 and 101 shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 may be structured, asshown in FIG. 7, such that the leading end side emits light by the redcolor, and the base end side emits light by the blue color.Alternatively, the structure may be made, as shown in FIG. 8, such thatone surface side emits light by the red color along an axis, and theother one surface side emits light by the blue color.

Further, in the portable signal light 1, the portable signal light 21and the portable signal light 101, the receiving cases 5 and 106 havingthe infrared remote control sending apparatus built-in can be changed tothe receiving case 11 in accordance with a first modified embodimentshown in FIG. 9. The receiving case 11 is structured such as to bedetachably mounted to the grip portions 2 and 103 by a pair of right andleft leaf springs 12 and 12 which are curved along the peripheralsurfaces of the grip portions 2 and 103.

Further, the receiving cases 5 and 106 can be changed to a receivingcase 13 in accordance with a second modified embodiment shown in FIG.10. The receiving case 13 is structured in a laterally long thin typewhich is curved along the peripheral surfaces of the grip portions 2 and103, and is structured such as to be detachably mounted to the gripportions 2 and 103 by a tape-like hook-and-loop fastener 14.

The vehicle guidance tool in accordance with the embodiment structuredin the manner mentioned above is used for a guidance work of the vehiclein the road construction field, for example, shown in FIG. 11. In thiscase, the worker operating while holding the portable signal light 101is arranged at one point (a far point in FIG. 11) in the section forguiding the vehicle, and the barricade 102 is placed at the other point(a near point in FIG. 11) in the section for guiding the vehicle.

In accordance with the vehicle guidance method using the portable signallight 101 and the barricade 102 which are arranged in this manner, theworker operates so as to direct the infrared light sending window 106Ctoward the barricade 102 at a time of operating the change switch button106B of the receiving case 106 in which the infrared light remotecontrol sending apparatus attached to the portable signal light 101 isinstalled.

In accordance with the simple operation mentioned above, for example, inthe case that the light emitting lamp portion 104 of the portable signallight 101 is switched to the blue emitted light allowing the vehicle tomove forward, the electric display portion 124 of the barricade 102 isturned on so as to be switched to the red display of “STOP” inhibitingthe vehicle from moving forward. Further, when the light emitting lampportion 104 is switched to the red emitted light inhibiting the vehiclefrom moving forward, the electric display portion 123 of the barricade102 is turned on so as to be switched to the blue display of “GO”allowing the vehicle to move forward.

Then, the vehicle (not shown) passes through the construction field atthe rear of the barricade 102 as shown by an outline arrow shown in FIG.11 while bypassing, whereby the vehicle is smoothly guided.

FIG. 12 shows a vehicle guidance method which is executed in a state inwhich one more barricade 102 is placed near the worker shown in FIG. 11.In this case, in the barricade 102 near the worker, when the lightemitting lamp portion 104 of the portable signal light 101 held by theworker is switched to the blue emitted light allowing the vehicle tomove forward, the electric display portion 123 is turned on so as to beswitched to the blue display of “GO” allowing the vehicle to moveforward. Further, when the light emitting lamp portion 104 is switchedto the red emitted light inhibiting the vehicle from moving forward, theelectric display portion 124 is turned on so as to be switched to thered display of “STOP” inhibiting the vehicle from moving forward.

Accordingly, in accordance with the vehicle guidance tool and thevehicle guidance method on the basis of the embodiment, in the roadconstruction field, it is possible to safely and smoothly guide thevehicle even by one worker.

In this case, although an illustration is omitted, two workers eachholding the portable signal light 101 can guide the vehicle by usingfour barricades 102. In this case, a pair of right and left barricades102 and 102 are placed near both sides of a roadway at one point in thesection for guiding the vehicle, and the first worker is arranged nearthe one side barricade 102. Further, a pair of barricades 102 and 102are placed near both sides of the roadway at the other point in thesection for guiding the vehicle, and the second worker is arranged nearthe one side barricade 102.

In accordance with the vehicle guidance method, when the first workerswitches the light emitting lamp portion 104 of the portable signallight 101 held by himself or herself, the electric display portion 124is turned on so as to be switched to the red display of “STOP” in thebarricade 102 near the worker. At the same time, in the barricade 102arranged at the other point in the vehicle guiding section in the sametraffic lane as the barricade 102, the electric display portion 123 isturned on so as to be switched to the blue display of “GO”.

Then, the second worker switches the light emitting lamp portion 104 ofthe portable signal light 101 held by himself or herself to the blueemitted light, after confirming that the electric display portion 123 ofthe barricade 102 placed at the other point in the vehicle guidingsection is turned on so as to be switched to the blue display of “GO”.Accordingly, in the barricade 102 near the second worker, the electricdisplay portion 123 is turned on so as to be switched to the bluedisplay of “GO” working therewith, and at the same time, in thebarricade 102 arranged at the other point in the vehicle guiding sectionin the same traffic lane side as the barricade 102, the electric displayportion 124 is turned on so as to be switched to the red display of“STOP”.

Further, the barricade 102 shown in FIG. 6 can be changed to barricades141 to 144 shown in FIGS. 13 to 16.

The barricade 141 shown in FIG. 13 has the transverse bar 122 supportedto a pair of right and left A-type leg portions 121 in the same manneras the barricade 102 shown in FIG. 6, and a laterally long plate-shapedelectric display portion 141A is fixed to a lower portion of thetransverse bar 122. Circular two-color light emitting portions 141B arearranged in a line laterally in the electric display portion 141A, thelight emitting portions 141B being structured such that a lot of redlight emitting diodes and blue light emitting diodes are closelyarranged.

The barricade 142 shown in FIG. 14 has a large-diameter transverse bar142A supported to a pair of right and left A-type leg portions 121 inthe same manner as the barricade 102 shown in FIG. 6. A pair ofband-like two-color light emitting portions 142B and 142C are providedas the electric display portion in a peripheral surface of thetransverse bar 142A, the light emitting portions 142B and 142C beingstructured such that a lot of red light emitting diodes and blue lightemitting diodes are closely arranged.

The barricade 143 shown in FIG. 15 has a large-diameter transverse bar143A supported to a pair of right and left A-type leg portions 121 inthe same manner as the barricade 102 shown in FIG. 6. A two-color lightemitting portion 143B is provided as the electric display portion in aperipheral surface of the transverse bar 142A, the light emittingportion 143B being structured such that a lot of red light emittingdiodes and blue light emitting diodes are closely arranged in an arrowshape.

The barricade 144 shown in FIG. 16 is provided with electric displayplates 144B and 144C which are provided on a laterally long support leg144A so as to be arranged right and left. One electric display plate144B has a light emitting portion 144D formed in a shape of “GO” so asto display a signal of “go-ahead”, and a blue light emitting portion144E in which a plurality of blue light emitting diodes are collected ina circular point shape and arranged in a key shape. The other electricdisplay plate 144C has a light emitting portion 144F formed in a shapeof “STOP” so as to display a signal of “stop”, and a red light emittingportion 144G in which a plurality of red light emitting diodes arecollected in a circular point shape and arranged in a key shape.

In this case, the electric display portion can be structured, as shownin FIG. 17, by a transparent acrylic plate 145 inscribed, for example,by a character of “STOP”, and a plurality of red light emitting diodegroups 146 emitting light toward a lower surface of the transparentacrylic plate 145.

Further, the electric display portion can be structured, as shown inFIG. 18, by a plate 147 inscribed, for example, by a character of“STOP”, a plurality of lights 148 lighting the plate 147 from the above,a power source box 149 having a battery 149A and a circuit portion 149Bbuilt-in, and the like.

Further, in the portable signal light 101 in accordance with theembodiment mentioned above, an organic EL element corresponding to asheet-like light emitting element may be provided in the inner surfaceof the light emitting lamp portion 104, in place of the light emittingdiode group 107. Since the tubular light emitting lamp portiontelescopically fitted to the tubular grip portion is provided, it ispossible to elongate the entire length from the grip portion to thelight emitting lamp portion so as to safely use at a time of using, andit is possible to shorten the entire length so as to be broughttherewith at a time when the portable signal light is not used.

Further, in the case that the light emitting lamp portion is detachablymounted to the support portion, the support portion can be sufficientlypressed into the grip portion by detaching the light emitting lampportion from the support portion at a time when the portable signallight is not used. Accordingly, the entire length at a time of bringingthe portable signal light can be made shorter. Further, in the case thatthe infrared remote control sending apparatus is detachably mounted tothe grip portion, the infrared remote control sending apparatus can beeasily operated.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Since the tubular light emitting lamp portion telescopically fitted tothe tubular grip portion is provided, the entire length can be elongatedso as to be used as the portable signal light which can securely guide.Further, it is possible to use as the vehicle guidance tool which canguide the vehicle only by one person in the road construction field, theconstruction work field, the parking area, the meeting place for eventand the like.

1. A portable signal light, wherein the portable signal light is provided with a tubular light emitting lamp portion which is telescopically fitted to a tubular grip portion, the light emitting lamp portion has a battery for a power source and a plurality of light emitting diodes which can be turned on by the battery built-in, said grip portion is provided with an infrared remote control sending apparatus for controlling the lighting of said light emitting diode, and said light emitting lamp portion is provided with an infrared remote control receiving apparatus for receiving the control signal from said infrared remote control sending apparatus so as to control the lighting of said light emitting diode.
 2. A portable signal light, wherein the portable signal light is provided with a tubular or bar-like support portion which is telescopically fitted to the tubular grip portion, and the support portion is provided with the light emitting lamp portion which has a battery for a power source and a plurality of light emitting diodes which can be turned on by the battery built-in, said grip portion is provided with the infrared remote control sensing apparatus for controlling the lighting of said light emitting diode, and said light emitting lamp portion is provided with the infrared remote control receiving apparatus for receiving the control signal from said infrared remote control sending apparatus so as to control the lighting of said light emitting diode.
 3. A portable signal light as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said infrared remote control sending apparatus is detachably provided in said grip portion.
 4. A portable signal light as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light emitting lamp portion is detachably mounted to the support portion.
 5. (canceled)
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled) 